Pollinators

Under the EU pesticide approval processes, the risks posed to bees and other pollinators are subject to a risk assessment process based on scientific evidence.  Pesticides can be approved only if their use will result in a negligible exposure to honeybees, or if they are shown to have no unacceptable short-term or long-term effects on honeybee colony survival and development.  Where risks are determined in approved products, risk mitigation measures are set down to reduce these risks, for example, not spraying during flowering periods, and timing of application to avoid peak bee foraging times.

Pesticide Registration and Controls Divisions carry out scientific evaluations of pesticides and is involved in the further development of the EU pesticide approvals process.  The adoption of Integrated Pest Management practices under the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive will have benefits for pollinator abundance and diversity.  There is a need to find a sustainable balance between the protection of pollinators and the support of agricultural production.